Associate Director of Development, VP Development and Alumni

Description

The Faculty Development within VP Development and Alumni is currently seeking a Full-time Regular Associate Director of Development.

The University of Calgary is Canada's leading next-generation university, a living, growing and youthful institution that embraces change and opportunity with a can-do attitude. University has a burgeoning new strategic direction, Growth through Focus. We will be Canada's most entrepreneurial university in the country's most enterprising city by ensuring a transdisciplinary focus for our scholarship; deeper partnerships and integration with businesses, governments, and purpose organizations in our community; and future-focused program delivery that sees us offer more modes of instruction, modularization and micro-credentials. In 2021, the University of Calgary was ranked in the top five of Canada's best research universities and is the youngest university in this class.

Science research and innovation at the University of Calgary are in for an extensive and game-changing expansion thanks to a $55 million investment in the creation of a new multidisciplinary science hub in the Government of Alberta Budget 2024. Construction of the Hub should begin next year, with an expected opening in 2030. The Faculty of Science will embark on an ambitious capital campaign to raise philanthropic dollars to support this project.

The Development office exists for the mutual benefit of the University of Calgary and its stakeholders and coordinates development and alumni relations. The development area in particular is an active, collaborative team that enhances University fundraising efforts in support of designated University priorities.

This position reports to the Director of Development (Faculty of Science Priorities) and also works closely with other members of the Development Team, Central Development Office, the Faculty of Science Communication Teams and other key faculty staff and members.

The position is involved in the strategic planning and implementation of the Development program for the Faculty of Science to secure donations, and has access to highly sensitive and confidential information.

This position is responsible for planning and implementing donor relationship programs for the Faculty of Science, including direct interaction with donors and volunteers to steward donations.

There is a high volume of work requiring strong communication, leadership, facilitation, negotiation and client service skills. The position deals with complex issues, and requires sound judgment and decision-making, and the ability to manage fluid expectations, projects, shifting priorities and deadlines. The position will foster the development of other staff in the Development team and serve as a role model and mentor to other staff. Decisions made by this position will have an impact on the Faculty and University wide, as well as on key external partners. The impact of error and stress levels are high, and evening and weekend hours are sometimes required.

The position is part of the Faculty of Science Development team and is involved in the planning, development and implementation of a proactive short- and long-term development program, to help achieve the faculty's fundraising targets. In collaboration with the Director of Development, the Associate Director will assist in the identification, cultivation, and stewardship of donors to the Faculty of Science. This position contributes to the goal of building a robust donor base, cultivating relationships on behalf of the Faculty of Science and the University of Calgary, and appropriately stewarding and recognizing donors and community partners. The Associate Director must demonstrate personal accountability, self-motivation and the highest standards of ethical conduct. Maintaining professional relationships with donors, alumni and community partners is vital to the success of this role and to the Faculty of Science. Ensuring donor confidentiality is critical to success in this position.

Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):

• In collaboration with the Director, the incumbent is responsible for the short and long term planning, development and implementation of a proactive development program.
• In collaboration with the Director, the incumbent will develop and maintain a systematic and integrated donor relations program that ensures donors are recognized and stewarded
• appropriately.
• In collaboration with the Director, the incumbent is responsible for the development and implementation of an annual and leadership giving program for the Faculty of Science and will act as a liaison with Central Advancement in this area.
• Managing special gifts, including gifts in kind, memorial gifts and student awards.
• Securing major donations in support of institutional strategic initiatives.
• Developing prospect lists and qualifying new donors in compliance with Prospect Management and University policies.
• Building and maintaining effective relationships with Faculty/University staff and administrators to ensure appropriate involvement and consultation in securing gifts.
• Assisting faculty members, unit leaders and volunteers in identifying, cultivating, soliciting and stewarding donors.
• Building strong relationships with donors; developing stewardship and cultivation plans.
• Building a toolkit of engagement activities and materials to support the ongoing capital campaign to support the new Science Building.
• Assist in developing and delivering training sessions for Faculty of Science staff to ensure they are equipped to communicate re: the capital campaign.
• Preparing written fund development materials including proposals, cases for support, stewardship reports, presentations and other materials as required.
• Ensuring confidentiality and strong professional ethics, demonstrating honesty, integrity, high standards and understanding and commitment to an academic environment.
• Planning to achieve fundraising targets, while recognizing that achievement of financial targets are not the only measurement of success for a fundraiser. Defining and achieving other measurables with the Director of Development.
• Ensuring ongoing personal and professional development in fundraising and the postsecondary learning environment.

Qualifications / Requirements:

• University degree or related education preferred, and a minimum of 3 years directly related experience, preferably in a fundraising or post-secondary educational setting.
• Demonstrated experience in annual and major gift ($25,000+) solicitations required.
• Experience managing a prospect pipeline working with donors in identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship phases.
• Excellent verbal and written communication abilities.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex and multi-faceted projects.
• Experience in managing donor stewardship programs would be an asset.
• Ability to produce compelling communication tools for use in Development, including cases for support, gift proposals, presentations and collateral materials.
• Sound judgment and decision-making capabilities and the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects or priorities simultaneously.
• Self-motivated, proactive, energetic and goal oriented.
• Ability to work effectively in a large, complex, dynamic and sophisticated organization
• Excellent computer skills including Microsoft Office applications.
• Knowledge of Blackbaud CRM fundraising software an asset.

Application Deadline:  March 19, 2025.

We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.

This position is classified in the Professional Career Band, Level P3 of the Management and Professional Staff Career Framework. 

For a listing of all management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our Management and Staff Careers website. 

About the University of Calgary

UCalgary is Canada's entrepreneurial university, located in Canada's most enterprising city. It is a top research university and one of the highest-ranked universities of its age. Founded in 1966, its 36,000 students experience an innovative learning environment, made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. It is Canada's leader in the creation of start-ups. Start something today at the University of Calgary. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.

The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.

As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Institutional Commitments ([email protected]) and requests for accommodations can be sent to Human Resources ([email protected]).

Do you have most but not all the qualifications? Research show that women, racialized and visible minorities, and persons with disabilities are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At UCalgary we are committed to achieving equitable, diverse, inclusive and accessible employment practices and workplaces and encourage you to apply if you believe you are right for this role. 

We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.